Child Rights, Children’s Day 2019

Celebrating Child Rights through Stamps: India Post and UNICEF Collaboration

This year, India Post, in collaboration with UNICEF India, organized a Stamp Design Contest on Child Rights, aiming to raise awareness about child rights and promote the art of philately among children. The initiative beautifully combined India Post’s annual tradition of commemorating Children’s Day through special stamps with the historic milestones of 2019 — the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and 70 years of UNICEF’s presence in India.

The contest ran from 7 August to 30 September 2019, and the prize-winning entries were adapted into special stamps released on Children’s Day 2019, immortalizing the creativity and vision of young artists.

The Importance of Child Rights

Millions of children worldwide face neglect, abuse, and deprivation. Many are denied education, proper healthcare, and even basic necessities like food and shelter. These innocent children, full of potential and promise, are often left to fend for themselves under cruel and inhumane conditions.

Recognizing the need to protect children, global efforts began almost a century ago:

• Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1924): Adopted by the League of Nations, it emphasized a child’s right to proper development, healthcare, protection from exploitation, and shelter for orphans.
• United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948): Article 25(2) acknowledged the need for special protection and assistance for motherhood and childhood.
• United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959): Established key principles for safeguarding children’s rights globally.
• United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989): The most widely ratified human rights treaty in history, defining child rights as minimum entitlements and freedoms for every individual under 18, regardless of background or circumstances.

These rights are grouped into four essential categories:

1. Right to Survival – Ensuring food, shelter, healthcare, safe drinking water, and a clean environment, along with access to education, recreation, and overall well-being.
2. Right to Protection – Shielding children from violence, abuse, neglect, and harmful substances while providing safe spaces and supportive environments.
3. Right to Participation – Empowering children to express opinions, engage in decision-making, and participate in community programs, libraries, and youth activities.
4. Right to Development – Supporting emotional, mental, physical, and educational growth, including modern skill development for a sustainable future.

The Stamp Design Contest

Children from classes I to XII were invited to express their ideas on “Child Rights” through drawings, paintings, or sketches. The competition awarded eight prizes:

• First Prize: ₹50,000
• Second Prize: ₹25,000
• Third Prize: ₹10,000
• Five Consolation Prizes: ₹5,000 each

Based on the selected entries, India Post released a range of philatelic items, including stamps, miniature sheets, first day covers, and brochures, celebrating Children’s Day 2019.

Winners of the contest:

• Top Three: Ms. Nidhi Rahul Mhatre, Ms. Vibhuani Agarwal, Ms. Deepali Minda
• Consolation Winners: Master Rupam Mahanty, Ms. Vaidehi Vikas Srikhande, Ms. Arya Thakur, Master Sarvesh Suresh Joshi, Ms. Kratika Chittoriya

A Philatelic Tribute to Children

The Child Rights Stamp not only honors the creativity of young minds but also serves as a powerful reminder of the rights every child deserves. Through this collaboration, India Post and UNICEF India have used the universal appeal of stamps to promote awareness, education, and advocacy for child rights across the nation.